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Topic Review (Newest First)

03-09-2012 11:49 PM

travlineasy

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

I fished there a lot and have seen some pretty impressive tides when the moon, wind and tides combine to create some very unusual tidal conditions for the keys. Most of the time, the tidal change height rarely exceeds 1.5 to 2-feet, but add some wind from the south, some rollers and opposing tide and those waves tend to stack a bit beneath the bridge. If the weather cooperates, the trip beneath the span should be a piece of cake. If the weather's nasty, I guess you could hole up in Boot Key Harbor till conditions improve.

Good Luck,

Gary

03-09-2012 07:38 PM

JonEisberg

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Quote:

Originally Posted by travlineasy

That 63-foot mast height could be a problem at 7-Mile Bridge, especially on a windy day. Even at low tide it's a tight squeeze for you, and I really wouldn't chance it.

I believe you're the second poster who's mentioned a concern about the clearance at Moser Channel, I don't get it...

His rig was configured for the ICW, the clearance of the 7 Mile Bridge is listed as 65'... I just came thru there about 10 days ago on a fairly high tide, and of course my recollection may be a bit faulty on this, but I'm pretty sure the clearance board was still reading a bit over 66' ...

I really don't think that Moser Channel will be a problem for him, as far as air draft goes...

03-09-2012 06:57 PM

Leocat66

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Have you checked, Salty Southeast Cruisers Net, for specific info on the Keys and other FL info. Very good info.

03-09-2012 02:40 PM

hellosailor

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

" I would go to Key West and around."
Even better if you can check out the cruise ship schedule for KW and get there on a day when 5000 of your new best friends aren't also going to be visiting.

Hurricane season, good weathercasting, flexible schedule, and a couple of ICW guides and charts with a red highlighter to mark off where you don't want to go. Parts of that trip will have to be offshore and that time of year, you'll need to know where and when you can or can't duck in if you need to.

03-09-2012 11:34 AM

lowtide

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Just went through Moser Channel last week, and on to the open Gulf. There are a couple of shoals to miss but they are well marked. Crab season is over this week so the minefield we faced will be gone. I found the charts to be very accurate, so choose your waypoints carefully and slide on through.

03-08-2012 10:24 PM

messer999

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

With full fuel and water tanks and watching the tide I'd recommend cutting thu Moser Channel at Marathon. Easy access from deep water on Atlantic side. Pick the correct channel and don't follow the power boaters (they don't have charts)

03-08-2012 08:55 PM

travlineasy

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

That 63-foot mast height could be a problem at 7-Mile Bridge, especially on a windy day. Even at low tide it's a tight squeeze for you, and I really wouldn't chance it. Key West is only another 40 miles and there are no bridges over the Northwest Channel. Lots of deep water and both sides of the Northwest Channel are protected with skinny-water flats, which makes for an easy ride--even in a 20-knot wind.

If the weather gets a bit snotty, which it sometimes does around Key West, you'll find plenty of sheltered locations to drop the hook near Tank and Tree islands. Unfortunately, you draw too much water to duck into Mule Key Basin, which is a beautiful place to watch the sunset from the cockpit.

Good Luck,

Gary

03-08-2012 05:07 PM

festivus

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Thanks for your insight, and your charts! Lol

03-08-2012 04:46 PM

BreakAwayFL

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Who am I kidding I could stare at these damned charts all day!!!

03-08-2012 04:40 PM

BreakAwayFL

Re: Sailing across the Florida keys

Grumbling as I get out my charts again....

Look at the Moser Channel, you will have no problem getting through there from deep water.

Channel Five can be a little tight and is rife with drunken power boaters, with your draft and being new to the area I would not recommend it.

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